Jar lifter



Patented July 11, 1939 UNITED STATES JAR LIFTER George w. Hubbard, La Salle, and David E. Hubbard, Brighton, 0010.

Application October 31, 1938, Serial No. 237,894

4 Claims.

This invention relates to a jar lifter and while more particularly designed for lifting and handling glass battery jars of the Edison type, it will be found useful for lifting any similar article which must be handled in limited space and which has no projecting hand holds or grasps.

Edison battery jars are used by railroads'for operating switch and signal equipment. These jars are located in iron boxes along the right of 7 way from which it is difficult to lift them since there is noprovision or, space for hand grips thereon. The jars are also diificult to handle when being refilled with fresh caustic solution since they become exceedingly hot and the solution is very corrosive to the operator's hands.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a device by means of which the user can reach down into the battery boxes and firmly grip a battery jar so that it may be quickly and easily lifted from place and handled while cleaning and refilling Without damage or inconvenience.

Another object of the invention is to so construct the device so that it can be applied in the exceedingly cramped space within the battery box; and so that, when clamped in position, it will be impossible for it to accidently release the glass jar.

Other objects and advantages reside in the detail construction of the invention, which is designed for simplicity, economy, and efficiency. These will become more apparent from the following description.

In the following detailed description of the invention reference is had to the accompanying drawing which forms a part hereof. Like numerals refer to like parts in all views of the drawing and throughout the description.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 illustrates the improved jar lifter in place upon a typical battery jar of the Edison type.

Fig. 2 is a similar View illustrating the device in the released position on the jar.

Fig. 3 is a cross section across the device taken on a line immediately above the bottom clamping band.

In the drawing a typical Edison type battery jar is indicated at ID. The improved lifter comprises an inverted U-shaped frame II which spans a fixed upper ring band l2 and a lower clamping band l3. The upper band I2 is permanently riveted or otherwise secured to the frame II, as shown at I4.

The clamping band is permanently fixed inter- 'mediate its extremities to one leg of the frame I l,

as shown at I5, and at one of its extremities is permanently secured to the other leg of the frame, as shown at I6. The remaining extremity of the clamping band slides freely through a bifurcated extremity I! on one leg of the frame A clamping lever I8 is hinged at H! on an arm 20 extending from the frame II. The lower extremity of the clamping arm is connected by meansof a connecting link 2| with the clamping band l3 adjacent the free extremity of the latter, the connection being made by means of a hinge clip 22. The connecting link 2| slides through the bifurcated extremity l I of the frame.

The frame is bent at its top to form a horizontal hand hold 23 and the clamping lever terminates adjacent one end of the hand hold 23 in a hinged thumb trigger 24. The free extremity of the trigger 24 is connected by means of a rod 25 20 with a latch hook 26 which is pivoted at 21 on the clamping rod l8 and which is constantly urged upwardly at the rod extremity by means of a tension spring 28. The other extremity is hooked to engage a projecting, flanged catch 29 25 on the frame II. A fixed guard 20 is secured to the clamping arm l8 opposite the swinging extremity of the finger trigger 24.

To engage a battery jar, the device is lowered downwardly over the jar, as shown in Fig. 2, 30 until it rests on the bottom of the battery box. The operator then places his thumb against the guard 30 and presses the clamping lever forwardly until the hooked latch 26 snaps over the catch 29. The device is now in the position of 3 Fig. 1 with the lower clamping band tightly clamped about the jar Ill. The jar can now be easily lifted from place.

In replacing the jar, the operator lowers it into the battery box, then presses downwardly 40 on the trigger 24 to release the hooked latch 26. He then presses rearwardly on the guard while holding the member 24 depressed to swing the clamping arm to the position of Fig. 2, after which the device can be readily lifted from the It is desired to call attention to the fact that the lower extremity of the clamping arm l8 strikes the bifurcated extremity l1 before the hooked latch 26 passes from the catch 29, as shown in Fig. 2, so that it cannot slip from the Wrong side of the latter.

While a specific form of the improvements has been described and illustrated herein, it is desired to be understood that the same may be varied, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention. Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired secured by Letters Patent is; 1. A jar lifting device comprising: an inverted U-shaped frame; an upper circular clamping band secured in said U-shaped frame; a lower clamping band supported at the lower extremity of said frame, one extremity of the latter band being slidably over-lapped; a clamping lever extending upwardly along one leg of said frame; means for pivoting said clamping lever intermediate its extremities on said frame; and means for connecting the lower extremity of the said clamping lever to the over-lapped extremity of said clamping band.

2. A jar lifting device comprising: an inverted U-shaped frame; band secured in said U-shaped frame; a lower clamping band supported at the lower extremity of said frame, one extremity of the latter band being slidably over-lapped; a clamping lever extending upwardly along one leg of said frame; means for pivoting said clamping lever intermediate its extremities on said frame; means for connecting the lower extremity of the said clampping lever to the over-lapped extremity of said clamping band; and means for locking said clamping lever when said clamping band is at its smallest extent.

3. A jar lifting device comprising: an inverted U-shaped frame; an upper circular clamping an upper circular clamping band secured in said U-shaped frame; a lower clamping band supported at the lower extremity of said frame, one extremity of the latter band being slidably over-lapped; a clamping lever extending upwardly along one leg of said frame; means for pivoting said clamping lever intermediate its extremities on said frame; means for connecting the lower extremity of the said clamping lever to the over-lapped extremity of said clamping band; means for locking said clamping lever when said clamping band is at its smallest extent; and means for releasing said locking means from a point adjacent the top of said U- shaped frame.

fl. A jar lifting device comprising: an inverted U-shaped frame; an upper circular clamping band secured in said U-shaped frame; a lower clamping band supported at the lower extremity of said frame, one extremity of the latter band being slidably over-lapped; a clamping lever extending upwardly along one leg of said frame; means for pivoting said clamping lever intermediate its extremities on said frame; means for connecting the lower extremity of the said clamping lever to the over-lapped extremity of said clamping band; a latch lever on said clamping lever for locking the latter when said clamping band is in its smallest extent; and manually manipulated means at the top of said clamping lever for releasing said locking lever.

GEORGE W. HUBBARD. DAVID E. HUBBARD. 

